Diana Katz

Diana Katz has spent much of her career as a connector, a voice, and a partner for local nonprofits in Northern Virginia. Nearly twenty years ago, she co-founded the Giving Circle of HOPE (GCH), a member-run philanthropic organization. Diana helped develop the GCH’s founding principles, mission, bylaws, and its financial partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.

As initial Grants Chair, she led the development of the grant-making process, from mission definition and criteria through evaluation, award, and post-grant assessment. During her tenure on the board, she served as the first Outreach Member, driving the GCH’s community partnerships.

In 2015, Diana worked with local nonprofit leaders to convene the Northern Virginia Ideas Exchange (NoVIE), an ongoing CEO-level forum. She was also the force behind the award-winning NVRides, the most impactful Fairfax County 50+ Community Action Plan program. She still serves on its board.

Believing philanthropy should represent the communities served, she launched the Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund to support and increase Latinx civic education and engagement in Northern Virginia.

She began her career in computer science after receiving an M.S. from the University of Maryland. She currently serves as Chief Catalyst at Second Wave Learning and has been a part-time yoga teacher since 2001.

Diana is a fully bilingual native of Puerto Rico.